When Soragna was elevated from a marquisate to a principality by EmperorJoseph I of the Holy Roman Empire in 1709, the state was granted the right to issue its own coinage. This right was practiced for the first (and only) time in 1731 by Prince Niccolò Meli-Lupi, who intended to showcase his country's ability to produce coins.[1] It is unknown where the coins were struck and how many were made, but some numismatic contexts claim that it his highly probable the coins were produced in small quantities at the mint in Vienna, Austria.[4] A few specimens are preserved at the museum of the Rocca in Soragna.[2]

The 1 scudo d'oro coin of Soragna is composed of gold, weighs between 3.66 and 3.74 grams, and measures 22 millimeters in diameter. The coat of arms of the House of Meli-Lupi is depicted on the obverse, encircled by a legend reading "NICOL. MARCH. MELOLUPI. S. R. I. PRINC. SORANEAE". A crowneddouble-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire holding a sword in its dextertalon and a scepter in its sinister talon is featured on the reverse, surrounded by an inscription reading "SUB PROTECTIONE CAESARA" and the coin's year of minting.[1][3]

Copper and lead trial strikes are known to exist, respectively weighing 2.55 and 3.4 grams. These are not currently listed in the Standard Catalog of World Coins.[5]